A BILL to amend and reenact section two, article eight, chapter
twenty-nine of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine
hundred thirty-one, as amended, relating to the Blennerhassett
Island historical park; and authorizing a special bow hunting
permit to prevent damage to historical gardens.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:That section two, article eight, chapter twenty-nine of the
code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as
amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:

ARTICLE 8. BLENNERHASSETT ISLAND HISTORICAL STATE PARK
COMMISSION.

§29-8-2. Blennerhassett Island historical state park commission
established; members; terms; meeting; quorum; compensation; expenses.As of the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred
eighty-nine, there is established within the division of commerce
the Blennerhassett Island historical state park commission. As of
said date, all assets, real and personal property, debts,
liabilities, duties, powers and authority of the Blennerhassett
Island historical state park commission are hereby transferred to
the division of commerce. The Blennerhassett Island historical
state park commission shall be maintained as an advisory commission
as hereinafter provided. The commission shall be composed of ten
members who shall be citizens and residents of this state,
appointed by the governor for terms of four years, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate: Provided, That the terms of all
members previously appointed to the Blennerhassett historical state
park commission prior to the amendment and reenactment of this
section shall continue for the periods originally specified, and no
such member serving as of the effective date of suchthe amendment
and reenactment need be reappointed.Each member shall be qualified to carry out the functions of
the commission under this article by reason of his or her special
interest, training, education or experience.No person shall be eligible to appointment as a member who is
an officer or member of any political party executive committee; or
the holder of any other public office or public employment under
the United States government or the government of this state or a
political subdivision of this state. Not more than six members
shall belong to the same political party.At its first meeting, which shall be held within fifty days
after this section takes effect, the commission shall elect from
among its members a chairman who shall preside over its meetings
until the second Monday in September of the next year. Thereafter,
the commission shall elect a chairman from among its members on the
second Monday in September of each year.All members shall be eligible for reappointment once by the
governor. A member shall, unless sooner removed, continue to serve
until his or her term expires and his or her successor has been
appointed and has qualified. A vacancy caused by the death,
resignation or removal of a member prior to the expiration of his
or her term shall be filled only for the remainder of suchthe
term.For the purpose of carrying out its powers, duties and
responsibilities under this article, six members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Each
member shall be entitled to one vote. The commission shall meet at
a time and place designated by the chairman at least four times
each fiscal year. Additional meetings may be held when called by
the chairman or when requested by five members of the commission or
by the governor. All meetings shall comply with the provisions of
article nine-a, chapter six of this code. Each member shall be
reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses actually
incurred in the performance of his or her duties under this
article.The commission shall advise the division of commerce in all
matters relating to the development, establishment and maintenance
of the Blennerhassett Island historical state park.All employee positions in the former Blennerhassett Island
historical state park commission are hereby transferred to the
division of commerce and shall be included in the classified
service of the civil service system pursuant to article six of this
chapter. Any person included in the classified service by the
provisions of this section who is employed in any of suchthese
such positions as of the effective date of this amendment and
reenactment shall not be required to take and pass qualifying or competitive examinations upon or as a condition to being added to
the classified service: Provided,That no person included in the
classified service by the provisions of this section who is
employed in any of suchthese positions as of the effective date of
this section, shall be thereafter severed, removed or terminated
from such employment prior to his or her entry into the classified
service except for cause as if suchthe person had been in the
classified service when severed, removed or terminated.Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary,
the division of commerce shall have exclusive regulatory authority
over watercraft transport of visitors to the Blennerhassett Island
portion of the Blennerhassett Island historical state park and such
the watercraft transport shall not be subject to the provisions of
article eighteen, chapter seventeen of this code.Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary,
the division of commerce shall have exclusive regulatory authority
over the hunting and killing of deer at the Blennerhassett Island
historical state park and, in cooperation with the director of
natural resources, shall develop a program to allow for a resident
archery deer hunting permit for game management on the island in
order to prevent the destruction of the historical gardens and other flowers and plants. The director of natural resources shall
create a special permit for residents of the state that entitles
the licensee to hunt for and kill deer with a bow during the
special archery deer season on Blennerhassett Island. The fee for
this special license is ten dollars and shall be paid to the
Blennerhassett Island historical state park.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to authorize a special bow
hunting permit to prevent damage to historical gardens at
Blennerhassett Island Historical Park.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.